Xi condoles death of Cuban plane crash victims

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday condoled the death of over 100 passengers in the Cuban airplane crash.

As reported by the Xinhua news agency, Xi sent specific condolences to Cuban and Mexican leaders as passengers of both their countries lost their lives in the incident.

In his messages to Raul Castro, the first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC), and Miguel Diaz-Canel, president of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers of Cuba Xi expressed shock over the heavy casualties reported in the incident.

Xi further mourned the dead and sent heartfelt messages to the deceased's families.

In his message to Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, Xi mourned the Mexican crew members, killed in the air crash, and extended sincere condolences to their families.

Earlier on Saturday Chinese Premier Li Keqiang sent a message of condolences to Diaz-Canel over the air crash.

More than 100 passengers onboard Boeing 737 Cubana de Aviacion died after the plane crashed soon after it took off from Havana's Jose Marti airport.

A total of 104 passengers were said to be onboard.

So far, only three women survived the crash, all still in serious condition.